Release and adjusting means for vise-type wrenches



J. G. HElM RELEASE AND ADJUSTING MEANS FOR VISE-TYPE WRENCI-IES- 2SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed May 10, 1948 /NL/NTO/?. (JACOB 6. HE/M 5) HISBTTORNEKS. HARE/5, K/EcH, FOSTER & HARP/6 Jr April 15, 1952 I J, 5,.2,592,803

RELEASE AND ADJUSTING MEANS FOR VISE-TYPE WRENCHES Filed May 10, 1948 2SHEETSSHEET 2 6/ 63 I 64 X 63 v /5 Q5 16 66 L/HCOB 6. HE/M BY HISATTORNE KS.

Patented Apr. 15, 1952 RELEASE AND ADJUSTING MEANS FOR VISE-TYPEWRENCHES Jacob G. Helm, San Gabriel, Calif., assignor to The CalpatCorporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of CaliforniaApplication May 10, 1948, Serial No. 26,020

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in a wrench of the type commonlyknown as a visewrench wherein one of a pair of jaws is adjusted intocontact with an object positioned between said jaw and the other jaw andthe one jaw locked in a closed position to securely and firmly grip theobject until the one jaw is released.

It is very easy with wrenches of this type to over-adjust the movablejaw of the wrench so that when the jaw is once looked against an objectit is very difiicult to release it therefrom and it frequently requiresa much greater expenditure of energy to release the movable jaw of sucha wrench from the object than was necessary to originally clamp itthereupon.

The over-adjustment of wrenches of this type frequently results in thedestruction of objects clamped thereby and this tendency is particularlyevident in the case of objects formed from readily deformable materialssuch as copper and brass. In many instances, where the object is notdestroyed by the excessive clamping action of the jaws of prior artwrenches, the surface of the object is so abraded and marred by theclamping action of the jaws of the wrench that it becomes necessary torefinish the object or to discard it.

Further, prior art wrenches of this type have depended upon an outwardmovement of the handle associated with the movable jaw to release saidjaw. Thus, when wrenches constructed in accordance with the prior artare utilized in confined quarters, the great application of forcenecessitated to release the movable jaw from an object clamped therebyfrequently results in the user of the wrench sustaining minor injuriesbecause of sudden andsharp contact with surrounding areas upon therelease of the jaw from the object.

Since the release of the movable jaw in prior art wrenches necessitatesthe outward movement of one of the handles of the wrench in relationshipto the other, the user of the wrench is compelled to use both hands whenreleasing the wrench from an object clamped thereby. Thus, since bothhands of the user of the wrench are engaged in releasing the wrench froman object it is necessary to permit the object to fall from between thejaws of the wrench when so released.

A wrench of the vise-wrench type embodying the improvements whichconstitute the subject matter of my present invention eliminates to agreat degree the above-outlined difliculties encountered in prior artwrenches. In vise-wrenches constructed in accordance with my invention 27 there is provided supplementary adjusting means which permit thedegree of clamping force exerted upon an object by the movable jaw ofthe wrench to be previously determined so that a moderate clampingaction may be selected to be utilized upon objects which might bedamaged by a greater application of force. Therefore, the destructioncaused by the utilization of prior art wrenches upon objects formed fromreadily deformed or abraded materials may be avoided.

Vise-wrenches constructed in accordancewith my present invention may beopened with one hand since there is provided in'the wrench movable jawrelease means which can be actuated by the fingers of one hand.Therefore, the release of the wrench from anobject in confined quartersis facilitated since it is no longer necessary to insert both hands'intoa confined space and attempt to move the handles of the wrench outwardlyin relation to each other to secure the release of the wrench from anobject.

It is, therefore, a primary object of my invention to provide avise-wrench which has embodied therein means adapted to permit thecontrol of the force applied by the wrench to the surface 'of an objectwhich is secured between the jaws of the wrench. j

Another object of my invention is the provision of a vise-wrench havingembodied therein adjusting means adapted to permit the selective controlof the amount of force applied by the jaws of the wrench to an objectsecured therebetween which is so positioned that it can be readilymanipulated by the fingers of the user of the wrench'inthe process ofclamping the wrench upon an object.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a vise-wrenchhaving embodied therein adjusting means provided with a graduatedsurface adapted to be contacted by a cooperating element embodied inalready existing wrenches which will permit the force with which thejaws of the wrench are clamped upon an object to be accuratelycontrolled.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a vise-wrench whichhas embodied therein release means adapted to facilitate the release ofthe jaws of the wrench from an object clamped therein by the utilizationof only one hand of the user. 7 v

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be evident from thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawings which are for thepurpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. i; is. a vertical, partly elevational. partly 3 Sectional view of avise-wrench constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical, partly elevational, partly sectional view showinga vise-wrench constructed in accordance with my invention looked upon anobject;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on broken line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on broken line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the positionwhich the release means incorporated in a wrench constructed inaccordance with my invention assumes when it is moved into the releaseposition;

Fig. 6 is a vertical, partly sectional, partly elevational view showinga vise-wrench .havin'g embodied therein another embodiment of my movablejaw release means;

Fig. '7 is a vertical, partly sectional, partly elevational view showingthe release means of Fig. 6 in the release position;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the release means shown in elevation inFig. '7, and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of another embodiment of therelease means.

My invention can be readily applied to a type of wrench now in wide useand which was in public use "prior to my conception of the inven-'- tionherein. The words "stationary and "movable" are used herein merely foridentification and for the purpose of illustrating the manner in whichone portion of a vise-wrench constructed in accordance with my inventionacts in relationship to another portion. As a matter of fact,

the whole wrench is readily movable.

The words upper, lower, upwardly.

"downwardly and other words denoting positions are used herein merelyfor convenience in description and denote the position of parts in thedrawing. In actual use, of course, the wrench may be moved into anyposition with relation to the user or to the center of the earth whichis desired by the user of the wrench. The vise-wrench, as best shown inFigs. 1 and 2, consists of a relatively stationary handle H formed fromsheet metal bent into a channel section and having a stationary jaw i2welded or otherwise fixed to the upper end thereof. The stationaryhandle ll extends downwardly and has a threaded socket l4 secured in thelower end thereof in which an adjusting bolt or screw i5 is threadedlyengaged. The screw l5 has a knurled head [6 by which the screw can bereadily turned by the fingers of the user.

A first pivot pin l3 passes through the stationary handle II and hasdisposed thereupon a movable jaw mounting plate 2!, preferably formedfrom a casting or forging, which bears a movable jaw 22 at its upper endwhich is adapted to be moved upon the movable member 2| to'c'ooperate'with the stationary jaw 12 in clamping an object l8. Agenerally triangular extension '23 formed integrally with the jawmounting plate 2| and being thin enough in cross section to extend intothe channel in the stationary handle I l permits engagement of the jawmounting plate 2| :by the first pivot pin IS. The jaw mounting plate 2|is thus enabled to pivot around the center of the first pivot pin 13which passesthrough the lower inner corner of the triangular extension23.

A second pivot pin 2a pajssesthrough the lower,

outer corner of the generally triangular extension 23 of the plate 2|. Atension spring 25 is hooked 4 at its upper end in a hole 26 in thegenerally triangular extension 23 of the plate 2| and at its lower endto a projection 21 on the handle H which extends downwardly into thechannel of the stationary handle ll.

Pivoted on the second pivot pin 213 is a locking handle 3! which isformed of sheet metal into a channel section, the upper end of thelocking handle 3i being bifurcated to extend upon each side of thegenerally triangular extension 23 and to engage the pivot pin 24. Athird pivot pin 32 extends through the locking handle 3| and engages theupper .end of a toggle link 33. The lower end of the toggle link 33 ispivoted on a fourth pivot pin 35 which passes through a pivot block 36to which the lower end of the toggle link 33 is secured through themedium of the pivot pin 35. The toggle link 33 has integrally formedthereupon in the upper end thereof adjacent to its engagement by thethird pivot pin 32, a lug 3? which projects into the confines of thechannel formed by the locking handle 3|.

Located in "the end of the stationary handle I l and interposed betweenit and the pivot block 35 is a movable release means 41 whichconstitutes a portion of my invention. Release means M is designed, topermit the release'of the movable jaw 22 from the object 18 after themovable jaw 22 has been locked upon the object is. As was explainedabove, it is necessary in prior art wrenches of this type to release themovable jaw 22 by moving the locking handle 3| away from the relativelystationary handle I l. Thus the release of the movable jaw from anobject requires the use of two hands, which is frequently notpracticable.

The present release means M permits the release of the movable jaw 22from an object l8 by the use of one hand only. The release means 5|, inits preferred embodiment, includes the pivot block 36 which has anelongated circular shank 42 of reduced dimensions projectin downwardlyinto a bore 43 formed within the end'of the adjusting screw 15 and whichpermits the pivot block 35 to be accurately'positioned in relation tothe longitudinal axis of the adjusting screw 15 inaddition to servinganother function described below. The under side of the pivot block 36has formed therein a plurality of recesses or depressions 44 which areadapted to be engaged by a plurality of protuberances or balls '45secured in a rotatable lever 56 which is adapted to rotate aboutand uponthe elongated, circular shank 42 of the pivot block 38. The rotatablelever 46 is generally of L-shaped configuration and "a right-angleportion 41 of the lever 46, equivalent to the inverted base of the L, isadapt ed to receive the balls or protuberances 45 and to cause therotation of the balls or protuberances 45 about the'elongated shank 32of the pivot block 35 to facilitate the engagement and disengagement ofthe protuberances or balls 45 with the recesses or depressions 44.Thede'pend- "ing leg of the lever 45 forms a finger grip 48 whichfacilitates the rotation of the lever 56 by the thumb of the user of thewrench.

The combination of the lever 46 bearingfthe balls or protuberances 45with the pivot block 36 having a plurality of depressions or recesses Mformed in the under side thereof serves when the depressions and 'ballsare out of registry to dis pose, the under side of the pivot block inspaced relationship to the upper surface of the portion s1 of the lever46 at a distance equal to the height of the balls or protuberances 45above said surface, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The depth of therecesses or depressions 44 is such that when the balls or protuberances'45 are brought into registry therewith the under side of the pivotblock 36 will contact the surface'of the portion 41 of the lever 46, asbest shown in Fi 5. The distance between the under side of the pivotblock 36 and the upper surface of the portion 41 of the lever 46 is socalculated, in the application of my invention to wrenches of thevise-wrench type, that the rotation of the lever 46 to bring the ballsor protuberances 45 into registry with the recesses or depressions '44and the under side of the pivot block 36 into contact with the uppersurface of the portion 41 of the lever 46, will permit the end of thetoggle link '33 to move a. sufficient distance downward to cause thecenter of the third pivot pin 32 'to pass to the left of a line A-A,extending between the centers of pivot pin 24 and pivot pin 35 to breakthe tog le lock and release the movable jaw 2 from the object I8.

Of course, other means of attaining the same release movement arereadily conceivable, such as providing the under side of the pivot block36 and the upper surface of the portion 41 of the lever 46 withcooperative cam surfaces, as shown in Fig. 9. The portion 41 of thelever 46 is provided with two upstruck cams 16 adapted to cooperate withcam grooves or slots 1| formed in the under side of the pivot block 36.

The locking handle 3| has formed therein an elongated slot 5| which 'isadapted to permit'the longitudinal movement along the handle of anadjusting means 52 adapted to control the force applied by the movablejaw 22 to the object'l8. The adjusting means 52 consists of a fingerplate 53 mounted on the outside of the locking handle 3| in the slot 5|which has attached thereto, as by means of a rivet 54 or a similarfastener, a graduated block 55 disposed within the confines of thechannel of the locking handle 3| and, in the particular embodiment oftheinvention under discussion, being graduated by the .provision of aplurality of steps 56, 51, and 56'. Each of the steps 56, 51 and 58 isadapted to be contacted by the lug 31 formed integrally upon the togglelink 33.

When a wrench embodying the improvements which constitute the subjectmatter of the present invention is to be clamped upon an object l8, theobject I8 is placed between the non-movable jaw 12 and the movable jaw22 of the wrench. If

the object I8 is formed from soft material or has a highly finishedsurface which is apt to be damaged by excessive pressure applied throughthe movable jaw 22, the adjusting means 52 is so shifted in the slot 5|in the handle 3| that the step 51 of the adjusting means 52, whichprovides for a moderate application of force by the movable jaw 22, isbrought into position to be contacted by the lug 31 of the toggle link33. When the adjusting means 52 has been shifted into the properposition, the locking handl 3| is compressed to bring the step 51 intocontact with the lug 31 and the adjusting screw I5 is rotated throughthe medium of the knurled knob I6 until it can be no longer turned. Whenthe locking handle 3| cannot be further compressed and the adjustingscrew l5 can no longer be rotated, the

adjusting means 52 is shifted downwardly in the slot 5| and the step 56is brought into position to be'contacted by the lug 31 formed upon thetoggle link 33. The handle of the wrench is then compressed toward thestationary handle H and the jaw 22 is driven into locking engagementupon the object I8. "Should the object l8 be of a more sturdy nature orshould its surfac be relatively rough and of a kind not to be affectedby locking action of the movable jaw 22, or should it be necessary toapply extreme clamping force to .the object "3 through the medium of thejaw 22, the adjusting means 52 is shifted upwardly to present the step58 to contact with the lug 31 formed upon the toggle link 33. Thelocking handle-3| is then compressed toward the stationary handle H andthe step 58 thus brought into contact with the lug 31 formed'upon thetoggle link 33. The adjusting screw I5 is then rotated until it can beno longer turned, which indicates that the movable jaw 221s adjustedagainst the object |8 so that the maximum clamping force will be exertedupon the object |8 by the jaw 22. The adjusting means 52 is then sliddownwardly in the slot 5| to permit the lug 31 to be brought intocontact with the step 56 of the adjusting means 52. The locking handle3| is then compressed toward the stationary handle II and the step 56 isbrought into contact with the lug 31, driving the pivot pin 32 to theright beyond dead center and locking the movable jaw- 22 against theobject l8 with great force. The adjusting means provided in the wrenchby my invention permits the force which is exerted by the movable jaw 22upon the object 18 to be accurately gauged and prevents the possibilityof injury to the object l8 by the movable jaw 22 due to excessive forceapplied thereto.

When the'movable jaw 22 is clamped upon an object 16 by the inwardmovement of the looking handle 3| toward the stationary handle I], a

the wrench will remain upon the object |8 until it is unclampedtherefrom. In a wrench which embodies the release means 4| of my presentinvention it is only necessary to rotate the lever 46 in order torelease the movable jaw 22 of the wrench from the object I8. When theadjusting screw I5 is rotated in the threaded block H at the lower endof the stationary handle II, the movement of the screw I5 iscommunicated to the movable, jaw 22 through the intermediary of theportion 41, of the lever 46 and th protuberances or balls 45 associatedtherewith and in contact with the under side of the pivot block 36,whose movement, in turn, is transmitted to the toggle link 33, into thelocking handle 3|, into the movable member 2| and thence intothe-movable jaw 22.

It is thus seen that the release means 4| is carried forward by theupward movement of the adjusting {screw I5. When the release means 4| isin the non-release position, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, theprotuberances or balls 45 in the portion 41 of the lever 46 are sopositioned that they do not register with the depressions or recesses 44provided in the under side of the pivot block 36. Thus the under side ofthe pivot block 36 is spaced from the upper surface of the portion 41 ofthe lever 46. This space between the upper surface of the portion 41 ofthe lever 46 and the under side of the pivot block 36 is substantiallyequal to the distance which the protuberances or balls mounted in theportion 41 of the lever 46 project above the upper surface thereof.

When the movable jaw 22 has been clamped, as described above, againstthe surface of an object l8 and when it is desired to releasethe movablejaw 22 from the surface of said object, the finger grip portion 48 ofthe lever 46 is rotated by. the fingers of the user ofthewrench assacosand the portion 41' of'the lever 46,15 thus con comitantly rotated aboutthe circular, reduced shank portion 42 of the pivotblock 36. The rotarymovement of the lever 46 and its associated portion 41 carries theprotuberances or balls 45 into registry with the recesses or depressions44 formed in the under side of the pivot block 36. The under side of thepivot block 36 is thus permitted to move into contact with the uppersurface of the portion n of the lever '46. This movement of the pivotblock 36 toward the portion 41 of the lever 46 is sufficient to permitthe center of the pivot pin 32 to be moved a sufficient distance to theleft of the line AA to break the lock which holds the movable jaw 22against the surface of the object Ill. The distance between the underside of theplvot block 36 and the upper surface of the section 41 of thelever as is care-' fully calculated so that the rotation of the.protuberances or balls d into registry with the recesses or depressionsi l, or the cams I l into registry with the slots 1 1, provided in theunder side of the pivot block 35 will always permit the toggle lock tobe broken and the center of the pivot pin 32 to move a sufficientdistance to break the toggle lock and release the movable jaw 22 fromthe surface of the object 18.

I thus provide, in the present embodiment of my invention, adjustingmeans adapted to permit the amount of force'with which the movable jawof'a vise-type wrench is applied to the surface of an object to becontrolled to meet the characteristics of the object upon which themovable jaw 22 is to be clamped and I thus avoid injury to delicate orfrangible objects and also the needless over-adjustment of the wrench.In addition, I also provide instantaneous release means for the movablejaw of the wrench which can be readily manipulated by one hand of theuser and thus facilitatethe release of the wrench from an object uponwhich it is clamped.

Although the adjustment means 52 has been described above as embodying agraduated block with the graduations consisting of a series of steps 56,51 and 53, it is readily conceivable that the block 55 of the adjustmentmeans 52 could be provided with an inclined surface which would readilyserve in the same manner as the stepped block described above It is mybroad concept to provide adjustment means which will control the extentto which the toggle link 3! can advance the movable jaw 22 against thesurface of an object i8 by controlling the outward movement of thetoggle link 33 through the contact of the lug 31 with the under side ofthe graduated block 55 embodied in the adjustment means 52.

There is shown in Figs. 6, 7 and '8 another embodiment of the releasemeans which constitutes a portion of my present invention. The releasemeans 6i includes an annular collar or sleeve 62 which is adapted to befitted about the end of the stationary handle H in' the region of theadjusting screw it and to be retained thereupon by forced ht of thecollar 62 upon the end of the stationary member H or in any similarmanner.

The mounting sleeve or collar 62 has integrally formed therewith astraight mounting portion 63 upon which is adapted to be pivotallysecured through the medium of a pivot pin 64, a release lever 65. Therelease lever 65 includes athumb or finger-grip portion 56 and a camportion 6? which is adapted to contact the inside of the end of thelocking handle 3| of the wrench.

. When a wrench embodying the release means t! is in the lockedposition, vas "best" shown .in

Fig. 6, the cam portion 61- of-the release lever 55 is rotated towardthe stationary handle H by the inward movement of the end of the lockinghandle 3| during the process of locking the wrench upon an object. Whenit is desired to release the wrench from an object upon which it isclamped, the finger grip portion 66 of the release lever 65 is grasped,as best shown in-Fig. 7, and drawn in the direction of the stationaryhandle ll, causing the cam portion 61 of the release lever 65 to, berotated upon the pivot pin 6 into operative contact with the inside ofthe locking handle 31 to drive the locking handle 3i away from thestationary handle Ii, thus causing the release of the wrench from theobject upon, which it is clamped. vThe provision of this embodiment ofmy release means permits the ready unlocking of a wrench of thevisewrench type from an object upon which it is clamped by theutilization of one hand alone.

Although I have shown and described preferred embodiments of myinvention, it will be understood that certain parts and elements thereofmay be replaced by other parts and elements having the same function andmethod of operation, and therefore I do not intend to be limited to thespecific construction shown but desire to be afforded the 'full scope ofthe following claims,

I claim as my invention:

, 1. In a wrench having a relatively stationary handle with anon-movable jaw mountedupon one end thereof; a movable jaw secured to ajaw mounting plate which is pivotallymounted upon a first pivot pinintermediate the ends of said stationary handle and adapted to carrysaid movable jaw into operative relationship withsaid non-movable jaw;adjusting means mounted in the stationary handle and adapted to adjustsaid movable jaw in relationship to said non-movable jawya second pivotpin passing through said jaw mounting plate and spaced. from said firstpivot pin; a locking handle pivoted at one end upon said jaw mountingplate through the medium of said second pivot pin; a third pivot pinpassing through said locking handle intermediate the ends thereof; and atoggle link pivotally secured at one end to said locking handle throughthe medium of said third pivot pin and atits other end to said adjustingmeans, said toggle link having a lug formed thereupon adapted .to limitthe inward movement of said locking handle toward said stationaryhandle, the combination with the aforesaid elements of: adjusting meansmounted upon said locking handle adapted :to cooperate with said lugupon said toggle link to control the amount of adjustment of saidmovable jaw; and release means interposed between the adjusting means insaid stationary handle and the adjacent end of said toggle link adaptedto release said movable jaw from an object after said movable jaw hasbeen clamped upon said object.

'2'. In a wrench having a relatively stationary handle with anon-movablejaw mounted upon one endthereof a movable jaw secured to a Jaw mountingplate which is pivotally mounted upon a first pivot pin intermediate'theends of said stationary handle and adapted to carry said movable jawinto operative relationship with said non-movable jaw; adjusting meansmounted in the stationary handle and adapted to adjust said movable jawin relationship to said non-movable jaw; a second pivot pin passingthrough said jaw mounting plate spaced from said firstpivot pin; razlocking handle pivoted at one end upon said jaw mounting plate throughthe medium of said .second pivot pin; a third pivot pin passing wardsaid stationary handle, the combination.

with the aforesaid elements of: longitudinally shiftable adjusting meanspositioned in an elongated slot formed in said locking handle adapted tocooperate with said lug upon said toggle link to control the amount ofmovement permitted to said toggle link; and cam means interposed betweenthe adjusting means in said stationary handle and the adjacent end ofsaidtoggle link adapted to release said movable jaw from an object aftersaid movable law has been clamped upon said object.

3. In a wrench having a relatively stationary handle with a non-movablejaw mounted upon one end thereof; a movable jaw secured to a jawmounting plate Which is pivotally mounted upon a first pivot pinintermediate the ends of said stationary handle and adapted to carrysaid movable jaw into operative relationship with said non-movable jaw;adjusting means mounted in the stationary handle and adapted to adjustsaid movable jaw in relationship to said non-movable jaw; a second pivotpin passing through said jaw mounting plate spaced from said first pivotpin; a locking handle pivoted at one end upon said jaw mounting platethrough the medium of said second pivot pin; a third pivot pin passingthrough said locking handle intermediate the ends thereof; and a togglelink pivotally secured at one end to said locking handle through themedium of said third pivot pin and at its other end to said adjustingmeans, said toggle link having a lug formed thereupon adapted to limitthe inward movement of said locking handle toward said stationaryhandle, the combination with the aforesaid elements of: longitudinallyshiftable adjusting means carried on said looking handle whose innerface is graduated and adapted to be contacted by said lug upon saidtoggle link to control the amount of adjustment of said movable jaw bysaid locking handle; and release means interposed between the adjustingmeans in said stationary handle and the adjacent end of said togglelink.

4. In a wrench having a relatively stationary handle with a non-movablejaw mounted upon one end thereof; a movable jaw secured to a jawmounting plate which is pivotally mounted upon a first pivot pinintermediate the ends of said stationary handle and adapted to carrysaid movable jaw into operative relationship with said non-movable jaw;adjusting means mounted in the stationary handle and adapted to adjustsaid movable j aw in relationship to said non-movable jaw; a secondpivot pin passing through said jaw mounting plate spaced from said firstpivot pin; a locking handle pivoted at one end upon said jaw mountingplate through the medium of said second pivot pin; a third pivot pinpassing through said locking handle intermediate the ends thereof; and atoggle link pivotally secured at one end to said locking handle throughthe medium of said third pivot pin and at its other end to saidadjusting means, said toggle link having a lug formed thereupon adaptedto limit the inward movement of said locking handle toward saidstationary handle, the combination with the aforesaid elements of:-longitudinally shiftable adjusting means carried by said looking handlewhose-inner face is graduated to selectively contact said lug formedupon said toggle link to control the amount of movement of said lockinghandle in relationship to said stationary handle; and rotatable releasemeans interposed between the adjusting means in said stationary handleand the adjacent end of said tog:- gle link.

5. In a wrench having a relatively stationary handle with a non-movablejaw mounted upon one end thereof; a movable jaw secured to a jawmounting plate which is pivotally mounted upon a.

first pivot pin intermediate the ends of said stationary handle andadapted to carry said movable jaw into operative relationship with saidnonmovable jaw; adjusting means mounted in the stationary handle andadapted to adjust said movable jaw in relation to said non-movable jaw;a second pivot pin passing through said jaw mounting plate spaced fromsaid first pivot pin; a locking handle pivoted at one end upon said jawmounting plate through the medium of said second pivot pin; a thirdpivot pin passing through said locking handle intermediate the endsthere of; and a toggle link pivotally secured at one end to said lockinghandle through the medium of said third pivot pin and at its other endto said adjusting means, said toggle link having a lug formed thereuponadapted to limit the inward 'movement of said locking handle toward saidstationary handle, the combination with the aforesaid elements oflongitudinally shiftable adjusting means carried by said locking handleadapted to cooperate with said lug upon said toggle link to control theinward movement of said locking handle toward said stationary handle;and toggle link release means interposed between said adjusting means insaid stationary handle and said toggle link, said release means including a pivot block to which one end of said toggle link is connected, anend of said pivot block being adapted for cooperation with a rotatablecam member interposed between said pivot block and said adjusting meansin said stationary handle.

6. In a wrench having a relatively stationary handle with a non-movablejaw mounted upon one end thereof; a movable jaw secured to a jawmounting plate which is pivotally mounted upon a first pivot pinintermediate the ends of said stationary handle and adapted to carrysaid movable jaw into operative relationship with said non movable jaw,adjusting means mounted in the stationary handle and adapted to adjustsaid movable jaw in relation to said non-movable jaw; a second pivot pinpassing through said jaw mounting plate spaced from said first pivotpin; a locking handle pivoted at one end upon said jaw mounting platethrough the medium of said second pivot pin; a third pivot pin passingthrough said locking handle intermediate the ends thereof; and a togglelink pivotally secured at one end to said locking handle through themedium of said third pivot pin and at its other end to said adjustingmeans; said toggle link having a lug formed thereupon adapted to limitthe inward movement of said locking handle toward said Stationaryhandle, the combination with the aforesaid elements of: adjusting meansmounted upon said locking handle adapted to cooperate with said lug uponsaid toggle link to control the amount of movement of said lockinghandle toward said stationary handle; and release means interposedbetween said adjusting means in said stationary handle and said togglelink, said release means including a pivot block to which one end ofsaid toggle link is connected, and end of said pivot block having aplurality of depressions formed therein adapted to cooperate-with arotatable cam member carrying a plurality of protuberances adapted toregister with said depressions in said pivot block and interposedbetween said pivot block and said adjusting means in said stationaryhandle.

JACOB G. HEIMi 12 REFERENCES CITED The following references are ofrecord in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Palmer Feb. 3, 1914 Petersen May21, 1940 Ward et al Oct. 14, 1947 Peterson et a1 Nov. 23, 1948 Ball Feb.22, 1949 Kash Nov. 29, 1949

